The Raiders’ decision to draft rookie tight end Brock Bowers with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the franchise’s rare draft-day successes. Bowers has proven to be an excellent addition to a team that desperately needed an offensive spark. But as the 2024 season continues, there’s a lingering question among Raiders fans: What if they had drafted Michael Penix Jr. instead?
At the time, the draft buzz suggested that Penix, initially projected as a second-round talent, had skyrocketed into first-round consideration late in the process. Many believed the Raiders might use their second-round pick to grab the Washington Huskies’ standout quarterback. But as the draft neared, it became clear that Penix would likely require a first-round selection.
Sitting at No. 13 overall, the Raiders were in prime position to take Penix—until the Atlanta Falcons, who had just signed Kirk Cousins to a lucrative free-agent deal, shocked everyone by selecting Penix with the eighth overall pick.
Raiders fans were left to wonder what might have been. Sure, Bowers is already proving his worth, but with the Raiders’ current quarterback struggles—between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell—it’s hard not to imagine how different things could have been with Penix in the silver and black.
Raiders’ QB Options: Looking Toward the Future
Despite Penix being off the board, the Raiders still have some potential moves to address their quarterback situation. Mike Ginnitti of Spotrac recently outlined some intriguing options on “The Spotrac Podcast.” He questioned whether the Raiders would “tank” for a top draft pick to select one of next year’s highly-touted quarterbacks, pursue a veteran like Sam Darnold or Russell Wilson, or perhaps trade for a promising player like Penix.
“Is this a team that’s going to throw the book at the Falcons for Michael Penix Jr.?” Ginnitti speculated. “The Raiders have some defensive pieces, but offensively, there’s a lot of room for improvement.”
Penix, currently biding his time in Atlanta behind Cousins, hasn’t yet played a regular-season snap. He saw limited action in preseason, raising questions about how the Falcons truly view his future. Could they be holding him back as trade bait for a quarterback-needy team like the Raiders?
Penix: A Fit for the Raiders?
It’s not hard to see why the Raiders could be interested in Penix. Known for his strong arm, accuracy, and ability to throw deep, Penix would be a natural fit for the Raiders’ offense. Before the draft, NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted that an NFL coach had sent him a glowing review of Penix, calling him a “freak show” with insane physical traits and locked-in first-round talent.
For now, the Raiders must decide if they’re willing to make a move for Penix or wait for next year’s draft. Either way, the franchise needs a plan to stabilize the quarterback position—because with Bowers excelling at tight end, the team is just a quality QB away from taking a significant step forward.
